Career and Education Opportunities for Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics in Rockford, Illinois

Mobile heavy equipment mechanic career and educational opportunities abound in Rockford, Illinois. Currently, 2,650 people work as mobile heavy equipment mechanics in Illinois. This is expected to grow by 10% to about 2,920 people by 2016. This is better than the nation as a whole, where employment opportunities for mobile heavy equipment mechanics are expected to grow by about 8.7%. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics generally diagnose, adjust, or overhaul mobile mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment, such as cranes, bulldozers, and conveyors, used in construction, logging, and surface mining.

Income for mobile heavy equipment mechanics is about $24 per hour or $51,340 yearly on average in Illinois. Nationally, their income is about $20 per hour or $42,820 annually. Earnings for mobile heavy equipment mechanics are better than earnings in the general category of Heavy Transport Equipment in Illinois and better than general Heavy Transport Equipment category earnings nationally.

There are twelve schools of higher education in the Rockford area, including one within twenty-five miles of Rockford where you can get a degree to start your career as a mobile heavy equipment mechanic. The most common level of education for mobile heavy equipment mechanics is a post-secondary certificate. It will take a short time to learn to be a mobile heavy equipment mechanic if you already have a high school diploma.

CAREER DESCRIPTION: Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanic

Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanic video from the State of New Jersey Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development

In general, mobile heavy equipment mechanics diagnose, adjust, or overhaul mobile mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment, such as cranes, bulldozers, and conveyors, used in construction, logging, and surface mining.

Mobile heavy equipment mechanics repair and remove damaged or worn parts. They also repair and troubleshoot electrical systems. Equally important, mobile heavy equipment mechanics have to overhaul and test equipment to insure operating efficiency. They are often called upon to clean and perform other routine maintenance work on equipment and vehicles. They are expected to operate and inspect heavy apparatus to diagnose defects. Finally, mobile heavy equipment mechanics research, order, and maintain parts inventories for services and fixes.

Every day, mobile heavy equipment mechanics are expected to be able to twist and stretch their arms and legs to get work done. They need to maintain precise control of objects and devices through a range of movements. It is also important that they coordinate both hands in a single activity.

It is important for mobile heavy equipment mechanics to adjust and maintain industrial machinery, using control and regulating devices. They are often called upon to schedule maintenance for industrial apparatus and equipment, and keep equipment service records. Somewhat less frequently, mobile heavy equipment mechanics are also expected to direct staff who are assembling or disassembling equipment or cleaning parts.

Mobile heavy equipment mechanics sometimes are asked to test mechanical products and equipment after repair or assembly to insure proper performance and adherence to manufacturers' specifications. and diagnose faults or malfunctions to establish required fixes, using engine diagnostic equipment such as computerized test equipment and calibration devices. And finally, they sometimes have to repair and troubleshoot electrical systems.

Like many other jobs, mobile heavy equipment mechanics must be thorough and dependable and be reliable.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanic Training

Kishwaukee College - Malta, IL

Kishwaukee College, 21193 Malta Rd, Malta, IL 60150-9699. Kishwaukee College is a small college located in Malta, Illinois. It is a public school with primarily 2-year programs and has 4,134 students. Kishwaukee College has an associate's degree program in Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/Machine Technology which graduated nine students in 2008.

LOCATION INFORMATION: Rockford, Illinois

Rockford, Illinois photo by Kranar_drogin

Rockford is situated in Winnebago County, Illinois. It has a population of over 157,272, which has grown by 4.8% in the past ten years. The cost of living index in Rockford, 78, is well below the national average. New single-family homes in Rockford are valued at $125,600 on average, which is far less than the state average. In 2008, sixty-four new homes were built in Rockford, down from one hundred fifty-seven the previous year.

The three most popular industries for women in Rockford are health care, educational services, and accommodation and food services. For men, it is metal and metal products, construction, and machinery. The average commute to work is about 20 minutes. More than 19.8% of Rockford residents have a bachelor's degree, which is lower than the state average. The percentage of residents with a graduate degree, 7.1%, is lower than the state average.

The unemployment rate in Rockford is 17.6%, which is greater than Illinois's average of 10.5%.

The percentage of Rockford residents that are affiliated with a religious congregation, 50.0%, is less than both the national and state average. Abundant Life Assembly of God Church, South Park Covenant Church and Souls Harbor Church are among the churches located in Rockford. The largest religious groups are the Catholic Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the United Methodist Church.

Rockford is home to the McPhail Hall and the Mary McGaw Hall as well as Ken-Rock Park and Jamestown Park. Shopping malls in the area include Alpine Village Shopping Center, Eleventh Street Plaza Shopping Center and Fairview Shopping Center. Visitors to Rockford can choose from Extended Stay America - Rockford East, Courtyard Rockford and Hampton Inn Rockford for temporary stays in the area.